Signification
To faint or be extremely shocked.
Contexte culturel
Hyperbole is a key part of Croatian social life. Saying you 'fainted' is a way to show the speaker that you are listening intently and are moved by their story. The 'zvizdan' (midday sun) is culturally feared. Fainting in the sun is a common trope in local stories and warnings to children. The phrase is now inextricably linked to the 'price shock' experienced by locals and tourists alike in expensive coastal cities. Fainting is a common dramatic device in regional soap operas (telenovelas), often used to end an episode on a cliffhanger.
Use 'Skoro'
Always use 'skoro' (almost) or 'zamalo' (nearly) when using this figuratively to avoid sounding like you actually need an ambulance.
Gender Matters
Remember to change 'pao' to 'pala' if you are a woman. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
Signification
To faint or be extremely shocked.
Use 'Skoro'
Always use 'skoro' (almost) or 'zamalo' (nearly) when using this figuratively to avoid sounding like you actually need an ambulance.
Gender Matters
Remember to change 'pao' to 'pala' if you are a woman. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
The Price Reaction
If you want to sound like a local in a Croatian market, use this phrase when you hear a high price. It immediately builds rapport.
Drama is Okay
Don't be afraid to use a dramatic tone of voice. The phrase loses its power if said too robotically.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'pasti' in the past tense (feminine).
Kad je vidjela pauka, Marija je ___ u nesvijest.
Since 'Marija' is feminine, the past participle must be 'pala'.
Which sentence uses the idiom figuratively to show shock?
Odaberi točnu rečenicu:
This sentence uses the phrase to express shock at a price, which is a figurative use.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Znaš li da je kava ovdje 10 eura?' B: 'Što?! ________!'
The future tense 'Past ću' is the most natural way to express an immediate reaction to new information.
Match the situation to the correct meaning of the phrase.
Situacija: 'Čovjek leži na podu u bolnici.'
In a hospital context, the phrase is almost always used literally.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Literal vs Figurative
Common Triggers
Weather
- • Sunce
- • Vrućina
- • Ljeto
Money
- • Račun
- • Cijena
- • Skupo
News
- • Šok
- • Iznenađenje
- • Tajna
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKad je vidjela pauka, Marija je ___ u nesvijest.
Since 'Marija' is feminine, the past participle must be 'pala'.
Odaberi točnu rečenicu:
This sentence uses the phrase to express shock at a price, which is a figurative use.
A: 'Znaš li da je kava ovdje 10 eura?' B: 'Što?! ________!'
The future tense 'Past ću' is the most natural way to express an immediate reaction to new information.
Situacija: 'Čovjek leži na podu u bolnici.'
In a hospital context, the phrase is almost always used literally.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a standard idiom. However, using it sarcastically can be seen as mocking.
Yes! 'Pala sam u nesvijest od sreće' (I fainted from happiness) is very common.
'Pasti u nesvijest' is more idiomatic and visual, while 'onesvijestiti se' is a more direct, slightly more formal verb.
No, in this phrase, 'nesvijest' stays in the Accusative form, which looks like the Nominative.
Yes, 'to faint from boredom' is a common hyperbolic way to say something is extremely dull.
Yes, it is standard Croatian and understood everywhere from Zagreb to Split.
You say: 'Osjećam se kao da ću pasti u nesvijest.'
In slang, people might just say 'Past ću!' while pointing at a price tag.
Yes, it's perfectly appropriate for all ages.
People will understand you, but it will sound like a clear 'foreigner mistake'.
Very often! It's a favorite in pop and folk music to describe being overwhelmed by love.
Only if the atmosphere is casual. In a formal presentation, it's too dramatic.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'doći k sebi' (to come to oneself/recover) is the process of waking up.
It is feminine, which is why we say 'u tu nesvijest' (if we used an adjective).
Expressions liées
onesvijestiti se
synonymTo faint
izgubiti svijest
synonymTo lose consciousness
pasti s nogu
similarTo be exhausted
ostati bez teksta
similarTo be speechless
pasti u komu
specialized formTo fall into a coma
